How much are you really worth? Probably more than you’re earning now. Here are six easy tricks to help you put more dough in your paycheck.
Ask the Boss for a Million Dollars
Salary Boost: +$4,181
When asked what kind of salary you’re looking for, say “A million bucks would be nice.”
In a University of Idaho study, people who jokingly asked for a mil ended up with 9 percent more cash than those who made realistic requests. Why? The figure you throw out, even if it’s absurd, serves as a psychological starting point for counteroffers, says study author Todd Thorsteinson, Ph.D.
Don’t Accept the First Offer
Salary Boost: +$5,000
“An employer does not want to start the search process all over simply because you ask to negotiate,” says Crystal Harold, Ph.D., of Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
RELATED: Find a 21-Day Plan to Accomplish Any Goal in 2016!
Harold’s research reveals that people who counter an initial offer earn an extra five grand, on average. Check sites like salary.com to find what your experience is worth, and mention that number during negotiations.
Be the Glove, Not the Punching Bag
Salary Boost: +$8,361
Guys who are too agreeable can get screwed. A study from Cornell reveals that people who are competitive, aggressive, and even arrogant earn 18 percent more annually than their “nice guy” colleagues.
They’re also more likely to land management posts. No, you don’t have to act like a dick. Just stick up for your ideas and self-promote, suggests researcher Beth Livingston, Ph.D.
(It's not just good for your career, it may actually be healthy. That's right, Be a Jerk and Don't Apologize. It's Good For You.)
Stop Blowing Off Your Workouts
Salary Boost: +$4,645
Think of that gym membership as an investment, not just an expense. People who grind through three or more workouts a week—whether they’re overweight or not—earn 10 percent more than those who never exercise, a Cleveland State University study found.
Of course, those gym sessions could also improve your attitude, energy, and even intelligence, the researchers say.
Talk to the Competition
Salary Boost: +$9,290
People who jump companies are paid 18 to 20 percent more than those who climb to similar posts internally, according to Wharton School figures.
Not ready to move on? You can try to leverage an outside offer for a pay bump at your current job, says study author Matthew Bidwell, Ph.D.
But first do some recon: If the gambit failed for any former colleagues, you may risk an abrupt firing.
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Buy a Better Razor—and Use It
Salary Boost: +$2,323
A well-groomed face makes you appear more driven and professional to employers, according to University of Miami research. That’s why tidy-looking guys bring home 4 to 5 percent more bacon than their Sasquatchian colleagues.
If you’re trying to camouflage a baby face with fur, at least shave your neck and use an electric trimmer to tame those wild patches.
(Should you be clean shaven, sport a soul patch, or even grow a full ZZ Top beard? Consult this grooming guide to determine the Best Facial Hair For Your Career.)
$33,800 Total
*Raise calculations are based on a salary of $46,450, the annualized median income for men ages 25 and older, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
